"Argh—!"
My mind felt like it was split, not just in two, but in dozens of pieces. A pounding pain throbbed in my skull, waves of nausea washed through me, and I gagged—but there was nothing to expel.
My vision wavered as the alley around me blurred and my eyes burned with ferocity—forcing me to shut my eyes. My limbs felt heavy and weak; every movement I made felt like dragging my body deeper into pain.
Suddenly, a pulse rippled through me. The pulse sent a small shockwave that scattered the trash and dirt around me. At the same time, the pulse washed me with clarity—as if waking up from a long sleep, numbing sleep.
Slowly opening my eyes, my vision came back as I felt my surroundings clearly again.
[A Heart in My Hand]
Concept Type: Bloodline Concept
Stage: Awakening
Passive Ability: Living Echo
•The User can feel the pulses and intention of anyone within the Perception range.
•Increase blood flow
•Grants +10% Perception.
Active Ability: Blood Surge
•Gradually increases the User's heart rate.
•As heart rate rises, Agility, Strength, Endurance, and Perception each increase by 10% per minute of activation.
•Maximum duration: 2 minutes. Exceeding this limit will cause overheating.
Description:
•You are deeply in tune with the heart of every living being. Your understanding of the Concept deepens the more living beings you kill.
A System interface appears in front of me. The interface was grey and gloomy, yet each word in the interface lit brightly like the flame of a candle in the darkness.
I breathed heavily on the ground. I tried to stand up, but my legs were trembling, causing me to fall again.
"I have a bloodline?"
Speaking already caused my throat to burn, and a cracked voice can be heard within the alley.
"Hahahaha..."
Instead of complaining about the pain, I laughed hoarsely, the laugh echoing off in the alley. My chest ached, my voice disfigured, yet I could not stop laughing for even a moment.
After a while, the sun completely set and the moon covered the world with a blanket of darkness; its light cascaded down the alley like a silver river.
"I-I can leave this place and eat freely everywhere..."
A place to eat without being cautious, a place to wander freely, a place where I can rest properly. I can finally leave the slum and live in a city.
Staring at the bread, I took a bite of it; it was cold and flavorless, but it was food nonetheless. I chewed the bread patiently while gazing at the shadows caused by the descent of the moonlight.
My body is recovering much faster, each movement lighter than before. Is this the Passive Ability of 'Living Echo'? A smile crept up on my face.
"Incredible."
After a moment of waiting, my body and mind recovered fully, and I felt much better than before.
I decided to stand and walk out of the alley after a moment of thought. A sight of poverty greeted me, dilapidated structures were everywhere, every corner one stares at is full of scattered trash.
A stench of a canal hit my nose like a punch. As I stepped out, a group of people turned to stare, their eyes sharp and piercing. With Living Echo, I can subtly feel their intent, a murderous one.
Acting fast, I turned in the other direction and quickly tried to blend in with the environment, hoping to lose them off my tail.
"Hey, boy!"
I did not try to look back once or respond, but instead moved faster.
Knowing they can't get a response back, they shouted a threat.
"We got your family in our hands!"
I have no family.
I stayed steady and ran without a single pause.
"Humph."
Finally giving up on talking, the group chased after me. They were faster; even their slowest member was almost as fast as I. Even if I tried to blend in with the crowd, they'll find me without effort.
Aware that I can't outrun and hide from them, I tried to come up with a plan.
After running for a while, I found a small, quiet area full of debris from demolished houses, and with no people in sight.
Choosing a place to stay hidden, I minimized my breathing and lay on the ground.
It was chilling even with clothes on, though it was shredded by the man earlier. Frigid air passes through the holes of my shirt, but I wasn't affected for even an instant. My blood kept me warm.
Footsteps echoed in the distance; the sound was getting closer and closer.
"Boy, I know you're there. Hehehe."
A round of laughter rang out from the group.
3— No, I felt 4 different heartbeats. Sweat slowly trickled down my head.
Quietly turning my head around, I grab a fragmented mirror that I can use.
I hid my presence more, to the point I didn't even breathe. I changed my position quietly and readied myself, patiently waiting for a chance to strike.
I closed my eyes, letting Living Echo guide me.
"Bastard!"
Suddenly, a shout ensued. Opening my sight, a glint appeared in my eyes. The one who shouted was someone the same age as me.
His stance was tough, guarded. But internally, his heart racing, the beats are irregular. He felt fear, possibly inexperienced.
Slowly streaking in his direction. I grab an empty can. My eyes never left his figure, specifically, the location of his heart.
I threw the empty can, creating a sound that reverberated across the area. The sound caught his attention, and he flinched; his eyes darted around the location of the sound.
The glint in my eyes sharpened as I felt his heart rise so abruptly.
I activated Blood Surge and instantly moved my body. Staring at the location of his heart, I raise my hand and swiftly pierce it with the fragmented mirror.
"Nnghh—ahh!"
His body convulsed; it arched and twisted in every direction. For a moment, his eyes came into my view, and what I saw was fear; tears were flowing down, and every tear contained a hint of unwillingness.
His body slowly went limp, and his hand was twitching, a signal of reluctance.
I reached out for a tear in his face; it was light in my hand, but heavy in my heart.